In this edition, we'll be covering the following topics:
- Are You '10 feet tall and bulletproof'?
- Million dollar fine following excavator crush injury.
- Avoiding Common Forklift Hazards.
- Ask Bob: Our tech guru answers a question on recertification training.
- ANSI Manual of Responsibilities: Critical Updates You Need to Know.
- Close Call: Loader slides down embankment, lands on roof.
- Last chance to register!
- What's Wrong With This? Photo and answer.
- A selection of interesting articles.
- New testimonials from our wonderful clients.
But first, check out all the places we are delivering training this month...
Are you '10 feet tall and bulletproof'?
By Jack Jackson
Traditional safety is primarily about rules and regulations. Most of the time when we get hurt, it’s not because we don’t know the rule or the amount of hazardous energy present. In fact, it’s often because we’re not thinking about the hazardous energy or the rule at the time.
When we interact with a hazard and get hurt, it’s usually because we’re complacent. Complacency is at the center of being “10 feet tall and bulletproof.”
If I were to ask you if you’ve ever touched a hot pot on a stove, you’d probably say yes. If so, you touched the pot not because you didn’t understand the rule, but because you weren’t thinking about the rule. The general rule of thumb is, if there’s a pot on the stove, nine times out of 10 it’s hot! So why are we hurting ourselves when we know the rule and we know that the hazard exists? Again, the answer is complacency!
When it comes to the “10 feet tall and bulletproof” mentality, we’ve all heard people say things such as, “I’ve driven this road so many times, I can do it with my eyes closed” or “I’ve been doing it this way for years.” We’ve even heard people say, “That will never happen to me!”
The conclusion is, “I’m invincible,” thus “10 feet tall and bulletproof.”
This mindset isn’t something that we believe or feel from the beginning. No, I believe it’s a combination of time in action and the influences around us.
As children, many of us were told to be careful countless times but nobody really ever explained to us what “being careful” means. Instead, it was left up to our own experiences to teach us what that meant. Consequently, we perpetuate the cycle by continually telling our own children to “be careful.”
In fact, we’ll tell our children to be careful even before they’re old enough to talk. So the cycle continues.
We get hurt. Who hurts us? Look at your 10 most recent scars. Who put them there? Nine times out of 10 it was something we did to ourselves. Everyone knows when a knife, scissors or a razor is sharp, but no one expects to cut himself or herself unintentionally.
Think about this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistic the next time you hand the car keys to your teen on a Friday night: “An average of nine teens ages 16-19 were killed every day from motor vehicle injuries.” Many experts believe a large number of these incidents occur because of texting and driving. And yet, all we’re telling our young drivers is “be careful.”
Chew on this: It takes, on average, three to six seconds to read a text message while driving. At 60 mph, that’s 88 feet per second. You’ve driven nearly the length of two football fields in six seconds. Could I convince you to drive down the highway at 60 mph and close your eyes? Let me ask you, what’s the difference?
Whether it’s texting, eating, smoking or simply changing the radio station, these are all distractions that take your eyes and mind off the road. Most people think, “It’s not going to happen to me. I’m not going to be the one that ends up in an accident. "I’m 10 feet tall and bulletproof.”
Don’t let your own complacency lead you down the path to destruction.
Most of the time when we get hurt, it’s because we’re in one of the four human states that contribute to most incidents: rushing, frustration, fatigue and complacency. One of these states usually is present – most often complacency – just before or during an incident. If we can learn to heighten our awareness when we’re in one or more of these states, we can prevent many serious incidents from occurring.
Jack Jackson’s career has included working in production, operations and safety at Johnson Controls for 19 years, followed by seeing Avanzar Interior Technologies through the safety phase of new construction. Jackson, senior safety consultant at SafeStart, used his experience to develop a safety concept that teaches participants of his courses that "safety is always first."
Source: www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com
Million dollar fine following excavator crush injury
A construction company has been fined more than $1.016M after a worker suffered three fractured vertebrae when he was hit on the head by a large expanded polystyrene block when it slipped from an excavator bucket.
Brighton Magistrates' Court heard how on the 20th of January 2017 workers were constructing a piling platform at Redhill Station in Surrey from expanded polystyrene blocks when one of the blocks slipped from an excavator bucket whilst being lowered into place, hitting the worker Andrew Stuart. Mr Stewart is still suffering the effects of the injury and is likely to be on pain medication for the foreseeable future.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the lifting operation had not used appropriate lifting accessories to transport the load and had simply trapped the load with the bucket against the dipping arm of the excavator.
Bam Nuttall Limited of St James House Knoll Rd, Camberley pleaded guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The Company has been fined $1.058M, plus ordered to pay full costs of $6,957, as well as the victim surcharge of $216.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Andrew Cousins commented: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply using appropriate lifting accessories such as chains and straps to carry out the lifting operation. Failure to do so has resulted in the serious injury of Andrew Stewart.”
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate action against those that fall below required standards.”
Source: www.hsmsearch.com
Avoiding Common Forklift Hazards
Forklifts transformed the shipping and storage industry. Without them, the process of moving large amounts of heavy products would take much, much longer and many more people. However, even though they are an absolute necessity to the warehouse and shipping industries, forklifts are also dangerous vehicles. There are a number of hazards that are associated with forklifts, and if you aren’t careful, you can easily injure yourself and others while driving one. Here are some of the common hazards associated with forklifts and some ways of avoiding them.
Why Forklifts can be Dangerous
Forklifts can be dangerous for many of the same reasons that any vehicle can be dangerous. When driving one, it goes from being a stationary object to a mobile block of heavy metal. If the driver isn’t paying attention, it’s easy to hit someone with the forklift, and while the vehicle may not be moving as fast as a car, it’s still going to hurt and can be fatal. Forklifts can move deceptively fast for their size and weight, especially when they have no load.
Another issue is that forklifts are so heavy that even an impact at slow speeds can be dangerous. What might stop other vehicles may not stop the momentum of the heavy forklift, which means it can cause much more damage than you may think. The long forks in the front are also very dangerous, and beginner forklift drivers often don’t realize exactly how far they stick out.
Common Hazards
There are a host of common hazards that forklift operators need to be aware of. These hazards can lead to a number of accidents, most of which are caused by carelessness.
Visibility is a major issue with forklifts. When carrying large loads on the forks, it can be very difficult for drivers to see what’s in front of them.
Improperly loading the forklift is another common issue that can lead to injury and damage. If the forklift isn’t loaded evenly, it’s very easy for the center of gravity to move too far forward, backwards, or to one side. Then the forklift becomes unbalanced and can tip forward or to the side.
While regulations do outline when forklifts are to be inspected and undergo maintenance, this doesn’t always happen due to negligence, lack of time, or some other reason. This can lead to a forklift parts breaking or malfunctioning in the middle of being used, which can cause the load to fall or be abruptly lowered.
One common hazard that has nothing to do with the forklift itself is improper surfacing or maintenance of such surfaces. A forklift with a heavy load cannot move up or down steep ramps without danger. Ramps that aren’t secured, sturdy, or in good condition may move or collapse under the weight of the forklift, leading to injury and damage.
Older forklifts that have had major issues or have begun showing their age should be retired. Continuing to use these older vehicles can lead to malfunctions in the middle of moving a load.
How to Avoid or Preempt these Common Hazards
There are several things operators and supervisors can do to help reduce the chances of these common hazards occurring. The first is proper training and adherence to training and regulations. Operators need to follow all precautions when driving, especially if they know they are in an area that sees a good amount of foot traffic. The same is true when backing up and when making turns or cornering. Forklift seat belts should be worn at all times, mirrors should always be used when backing up, etc.
Forklifts and all forklift parts need to be checked over, maintained, and, if necessary, replaced or repaired on a regular schedule. There should be no reason to skip an inspection or maintenance cycle.
Forklifts should never be moved without first making certain that the load is balanced and secure. If the load ever starts to shift, the forklift should be stopped immediately.
No one who has not been trained and certified to operate a forklift should ever be allowed to drive one, even if it’s just to move the vehicle from one place to another without a load on it. Certified operators are the only ones who should ever be in the forklift seat.
Older forklifts or forklifts that have been malfunctioning should never be used. They should be repaired whenever possible or replaced when they can no longer be fixed.
Training and Safety Information
All forklift operators need to have been certified in the operation and maintenance of forklifts. However, a large number of forklift operators do not actually have the training needed to drive the vehicles. In fact, allowing untrained operators to drive a forklift is a very common OSHA violation.
In order to be eligible to drive a forklift, a person must be at least 18 years old and must have completed a certification program. Their employer also has to give them authorization to operate the vehicle. There are a number of different training and certification programs around the nation that employees can enroll in. However, it’s important for operators to be trained on the specific type of forklift they will be operating and not assume that they can drive any forklift just because they’ve been certified.
Conclusion
Forklifts are absolutely vital in many industries, but it’s always important to remember that they are heavy equipment and can be dangerous. With the right training, attention, and caution, however, they can safely be used without incident.
Source: www.store.intellaliftparts.com
Ask Bob
Q. I have a question regarding the recertification process. If I have workers who have valid or recently expired MEWP training through a different company, am I able to do a recertification course for IVES? I asked this question during my Train the Trainer course in October and I believe the answer was yes, however I just want to confirm this.
A. Yes, you are correct. As long as you have the original training records of their initial training (from another training program) of those operators, you can use the IVES requalification materials. Of course, I am assuming that the records of their initial training show that it was done in accordance with the appropriate operator training standard.
I know I have had “trained” operators in the past, but the company I was doing the training for did not have the actual records, so I put them through “initial” training over again. It’s a pain, but that keeps everyone happy when there is an accident.
Glad you asked! This is not one we want to goof up.
ANSI Manual of Responsibilities: Critical Updates You Need to Know
Since the new ANSI A92 standards were published on December 20th, 2018, one of the most often asked questions I receive is “Do I have to replace the ANSI Manual of Responsibilities on all of my MEWPs (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms) with the newest one?”
The answer is YES!
What are Manuals of Responsibilities?
As you may know, the American National Standards Institute, or ANSI, is the standards writing body for MEWPs in the United States and it is comprised of a consensus body of industry experts. ANSI standards provide the requirements for design, maintenance and use of aerial lift equipment in the United States.
The Scaffold and Access Industry Association, or SAIA, is the secretariat for the ANSI standards. They are responsible for publishing and distributing the standards. They also are responsible for the development and distribution of the ANSI Manual of Responsibilities that is required to be on every MEWP sold within the United States and Canada.
The ANSI Manual of Responsibilities outlines the responsibilities of manufacturers, dealers, owners, users, supervisors, operators, occupants, lessors, lessees and brokers of MEWPs as they relate to the safe use of the equipment.
It also provides a detailed description of the safety practices individuals must follow as an operator of MEWPs.
The ANSI Manual of Responsibilities is taken directly from the applicable ANSI standards. The ANSI standards have always required that the latest version of the ANSI Manual of Responsibilities be on the MEWP at all times
What has changed?
The new ANSI A92 and CSA B354 standards are loaded with sweeping and significant changes over the previous standards. Since the standards have changed significantly, the ANSI Manual of Responsibilities has also changed to reflect the new standards.
The ANSI A92.22 Safe Use standard states that the standard will become effective December 2019 for responsibilities for manufacturers, dealers, owners, users, supervisors, operators, occupants, lessors, lessees and brokers for both new and existing units delivered by sale, lease, rental or any form of beneficial use on or after that effective date.
It also states that the standard must be used in conjunction with the following documents:
- The manufacturer’s make and model operator’s manual; and
- The SAIA Manual of Responsibilities for Dealers, Owners, Users, Supervisors, Operators, Occupants, Lessors, Lessees and Brokers for the Safe Use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms.
Why do you need to update these manuals?
It is very clear that the new ANSI Manual of Responsibilities must be on every MEWP once the new standards are in effect since the current manuals reference the current standards and will no longer be applicable. These manuals provide an easily accessible, quick and efficient outline of the responsibilities of all parties associated with the service, maintenance and operation of MEWPs.
Please keep in mind that, in the United States, trailer-mounted booms do not fall under the new ANSI A92 standards so they will still utilize the ANSI A92.2-2015 Manual of Responsibilities. All other MEWPs will require the ANSI A92.7/A92.8 Manual of Responsibilities.
It can be very costly to purchase the entire set of ANSI A92 standards, but the Manual of Responsibilities is available to purchase at a very reasonable cost.
Editorial Note: The correct title of the publication referenced in this article is simply the "Manual of Responsibilities", which is published by the SAIA and not the "ANSI Manual of Responsibilities". It can be purchased through IVES Training at www.ivestraining.com
Source: www.genielift.com
Close Call: Loader slides down embankment, lands on roof
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issued a Close Call Accident Alert after a front end loader overturned. On March 13, 2018, a loader operator at a sand and gravel operation was constructing an embankment to detour material away from the water supply. While backing up, the loader backed over the top of the roadway berm, slid down the embankment, and rolled onto its roof. The operator was wearing his seatbelt, so he unfastened the belt and exited the loader through the right side door window, which broke when the machine overturned.
MSHA offers the following Best Practices to help prevent this type of accident:
- ALWAYS wear your seatbelt.
- Maintain control of mobile equipment by traveling safe speeds and not overloading equipment.
- The size and weight of front end loaders, combined with the limited visibility from the cab, makes the job of backing a front end loader potentially hazardous. To prevent a mishap:
- Load the bucket evenly and avoid overloading (refer to the load limits in the operating manual). Keep the bucket low when operating on hills.
- Construct berms or other restraints of adequate height and strength to prevent overtravel and warn operators of hazardous areas.
- Ensure that objects inside of the cab are secured, so they don’t become airborne during an accident.
Source: www.aggman.com
What's Wrong With This? Photo
Can you tell what's going wrong in this photo?
Have a photo you'd like to share? Send it to us!
Answer to Last Month's WWWT? Photo
Here's what our Director of Training, Rob Vetter had to say about it:
Looks like this month’s WWWT has uncovered the answer to the timeless question; “How many (insert descriptive word/phrase here) does it take to change a light bulb?” I’m not sure the individual in this photo is actually changing a light bulb but he definitely is a (repeat descriptive word/phrase here). Let’s run down the list:
- Using a forklift as an elevating work platform when other, more appropriate means for the task, like a MEWP, may be available?
- Working from the elevated forks of a powered industrial truck without using an approved work platform.
- Working at height with no fall protection system in place.
- Using a ladder to gain additional height from the deck of an elevated platform.
- Working from the elevated forks of a powered industrial truck with no operator at the controls or other personnel in the area in case of emergency.
That’s all I can be reasonably sure of but I also really wonder if the park brake is set on the forklift and if the power to what looks like an electrical appliance he/she is working is locked out. At least the Hi-Viz apparel works!
Have a photo you'd like to share? Send it to us!
Interesting Articles
Front-end loader operator injured after backing off cliff...more.
Skid steers turned deadly?...more.
Key to surviving hydraulic failure...more.
12 tips for cherry picker operators...more.
Safety Day marked on both sides of the Atlantic...more.
Issues which are problematic with scissor lifts...more.
VIDEO: Epic warehouse accidents compilation...more.
Hire boss jailed over death of worker in crane collapse...more.
VIDEO: Udder chaos! Farmer pursues runaway cow with a forklift...more.
Forklift operator rolls equipment over in Mill Creek...more.
Client Testimonials
"I thought the program was very insightful, thought out and executed extremely well." Chris, New York Public Library.
"I have been teaching people how to use material handling equipment for over 20 years and thought I knew it all. I truly learned more in a few days of IVES training than in 20 years of experience. The IVES program will make me a better trainer!" William, Safety Center Inc.
"Fantastic training course that stays up to date and relevant with ever changing regulations" Carlo, IKEA.
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